Reducing violent crime is top priority for Reading's new police chief

Superintendent Robin Rickard said 'my view is any violent crime is too much violent crime'

Superintendent Robin Rickard wants to continue working with communities to make a positive difference in reducing crime and disorder

Reducing violent crime in Reading is top of the list for the town’s new policing commander.

Superintendent Robin Rickard has been in his new role for less than three weeks and has already overseen a visit from the Queen – a task well suited to his public order experience.

As exciting as Royal visits are for the town, it is a focus on reducing overall crime which is top of the priority list for Supt Rickard.

“The main thing for me is to really strive to continue to reduce all crime, particularly reduce violent crime, particularly to bring more offenders to justice for offenders who assault people, particularly where injury is caused,” he said.

Supt Rickard said Reading did not suffer “disproportionately from violent crime” but said “my view is any violent crime is too much violent crime”.

He continued: “We really must do everything we can to reduce violent crime and stop people getting physically hurt. To work with local partners to tackle domestic abuse and continue the work to reduce repeat victimisation.”

Supt Rickard also wants to continue working with communities to make a positive difference in reducing crime and disorder.

He said: “That is about focusing on what those communities really need and what they want. Lastly, I think helping people to help themselves to reduce the risk of them becoming victims of crime is a priority, particularly around issues such as fraud.”

Before taking up his post in Reading, 48-year-old Supt Rickard was area commander for West Berkshire for just over five years.

He said: “I think the role of a police area commander is very similar wherever you police because it is as much about working with partners, leadership of the teams, and understanding the local dynamics.

“Of course the local dynamics change but the principles around managing them is the same. It is around understanding the detail, working out a solution, and then working out the best people to deliver that solution whether it be police only or police with partners.”

Supt Rickard is from Oxfordshire and started his career with Thames Valley Police in 1989, following a stint in the Household Cavalry Regiment of the British Army.

He replaces Supt Stuart Greenfield, who left to take on a new challenge as a leadership tutor at the National College of Policing.

Supt Rickard is looking forward to the challenge of policing a “really significant town” and getting to know the area in a lot more detail.

He continued: “It has been eye-opener for the last 10 days. The thing that has really stuck in my mind is how impressed I have been by the motivation of the police officers and staff in this building.

“A real can-do, a real want to do attitude of getting out there and ultimately protecting the people of Reading.”